26A

by Diana Evans

A moving, funny and poetic story of twin sisters in the Neasden of the 70s. The 'oneness' of the twins, their mother's African origin, their father's stifling upbringing shape their identity and their lives. Evans paints such vivid scenes that you'll feel you are living them.

Extract

On the outside of their front door Georgia and Bessi had written in chalk '26a', and on the inside 'G + B', at eye level, just above the handle. This was the extra dimension. The one after sight, sound, smell, touch and taste where the world multiplied and exploded because it was the sum of two people. Bright was twice as bright. All the colours were extra. Girls with umbrellas skipped across the wallpaper and Georgia and Bessi could hear them laughing.